Since January 2022, the Nevada Supreme Court Law Library has secured three grants from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) through the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA), managed by the Nevada State Library, Archives and Public Records (NSLAPR). These grants are being used to translate self-help legal forms related to divorce, custody, family law, name change, and guardianship. The aim is to provide equal access to court services for self-represented litigants with limited English proficiency (LEP) in Nevada.
In Nevada, there are over 314,000 individuals with limited English proficiency, including more than 259,000 who primarily speak Spanish, Mandarin, Tagalog, and Vietnamese. As court services became increasingly virtual during the COVID-19 pandemic, the language barrier faced by LEP populations became more pronounced. In response, the Nevada Supreme Court Law Library identified a need for translated standardized self-help forms for these residents.
Collaborating with the Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada and Twin Translations in Las Vegas, 71 standardized self-help forms have been translated into Spanish, Mandarin, Tagalog, and Vietnamese. This includes 40 forms related to divorce, custody, and family law; 18 guardianship forms; and 11 name change forms. These documents are available on the State of Nevada Self Help Center website via the Nevada Supreme Court Law Library’s site and through the Nevada Legal Kiosk program at 22 public libraries across Nevada.
For a comprehensive list of translated self-help forms or further information about these resources, individuals can visit https://nvcourts.gov/lawlibrary or contact the Law Library directly at (775) 684-1640 or reference@nvcourts.nv.gov.
The Supreme Court of Nevada serves as the highest court within the state's judicial branch. It consists of seven Justices elected to six-year terms with one Justice acting as Chief Justice. The court holds regular sessions in Carson City and Las Vegas. More details about Nevada’s judicial branch can be found at https://nvcourts.gov/supreme/.
The Institute of Museum and Library Services is a key federal supporter for libraries and museums across America. Its mission is to advance these institutions through grantmaking and policy development. For more information about IMLS's work or initiatives visit www.imls.gov.
The NSLAPR functions as Nevada's institutional memory providing various information services aimed at supporting superior library systems and literacy programs throughout the state.